Friday funeral for Islam Mossaad, former Austin imam, killed while crossing North Lamar

Note: The video attached to this story originally aired April 10, 2024, and concerns pedestrian safety along North Lamar Boulevard.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin imam killed by an allegedly intoxicated driver Sunday night will be laid to rest Friday, according to a Thursday press release from his mosque and the Austin branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Islam Mossaad, 50, attempted to cross North Lamar Boulevard when he was hit by a car Sunday evening.

CAIR Austin's release calls Mossaad "a pillar of faith and service in Austin." He served as an imam from 2008-2023.

“Imam Islam Mossaad was a servant leader—never too big to do the small things, never too small to do the big things. His legacy goes beyond sermons and prayers—he built bridges with the broader Austin community and civically engaged with everyone,” said Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR Austin's operations manager. “We mourn his sudden and tragic loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

His funeral service is open to the public and will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the North Austin Muslim Community Center, located on 11900 North Lamar Blvd.

Faith community mourns local leader

Other local religious leaders also commented on Mossaad's death.

“This week, Austin lost one of its prophetic leaders, Imam Islam Mossaad. He had a passion for human condition. He spent the last chapter of his life serving the poor and homeless of Austin. He had a genuine righteous anger on their behalf,” said Rev. Jim Rigby, of Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, in CAIR Austin's release.

“Imam Islam Mossaad was not only an Imam; he was a mentor, a leader, and a friend. He touched so many lives with his infectious smile and kind words. He genuinely loved God and God’s creations and it reflected in the way he spent his life in building bridges and serving people,” said Nueces Mosque Imam Anwer Imam in CAIR Austin's release.

Interfaith Action of Central Texas, or iACT, also sent an email Thursday mourning Mossaad, who had served on the organization's board of directors.

"For many years, Imam Islam shared his faith with grace and compassion, demonstrating a profound commitment to interfaith understanding. He will be remembered for his gentle spirit, thoughtful wisdom, and unwavering dedication to building bridges across communities," iACT's email reads. "Imam Islam’s warmth, scholarship, and sincere presence touched all who had the privilege to know him. May his memory be a blessing, and may his legacy continue to inspire and guide us."

Imam Dawood Yasin of the Islamic Center of Greater Austin set up a fundraiser for Mossaad's family. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, it had raised nearly $90,000.

According to Yasin, Mossaad was a dear brother and "more than a religious leader."

"He was the spiritual heart of the Austin Muslim community — a man who dedicated his life to serving Allah and uplifting those around him," Yasin wrote.

In-Depth: KXAN reported on risky road in 2024

KXAN previously reported on pedestrian safety issues along the section of North Lamar Boulevard where Mossaad was killed. NAMCC is also along that stretch.

Since then, sidewalks in front of NAMCC have been improved. The sidewalks also do not run the full length of North Lamar Blvd. Additionally, there are no crosswalk to allow pedestrians to safely cross the four-lane road.

According to Austin Police, Mossaad was struck while crossing at a crosswalk to NAMCC's north, located a mile away. There is a crosswalk south of the mosque that is half a mile away.

KXAN reflects on prior interviews with former imam

KXAN interviewed Mossaad for multiple stories connected with the city's Muslim community over his years as a religious leader.

In 2022, he told us about a free "Islam 101" course he offered at NAMCC:

“We want to demystify and also inform, and go a little bit deeper and see the level of complexity of some of these issues,” said Mossaad to KXAN in 2022. “Hopefully [people gain] a new insight, a new awareness and appreciation. If they had something that was inside them, that had a misgiving toward Islam, that those misgivings are taken away from their hearts.”

In 2021, KXAN talked with him about the challenges involved with observing Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic:

"Maintaining the balance of, ‘Yes, the mosque is open, but we still need to be careful so that people don’t get sick and that we don’t spread something because of a lack of vigilance,'” Mossaad told KXAN in 2021. "When we break our fast we want to break it with others. But, again, with the priority is on people’s health and their safety."

And, in 2018 and 2019, Mossaad talked with KXAN about vandals targeting the mosque.

“We will be more emboldened to worship, to congregate, to do good in this world that we won’t let anyone or anything stop us from doing good.”